MSF’s Ochs set to retire after more than 50 years in rider education
Ray Ochs, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s vice president of training systems, announced his plans to retire from MSF after more than 50 years.
Ochs became an MSF-certified instructor in 1973, the year the organization was founded, and in 1980 became a chief instructor. In 2002, he joined MSF full time. Throughout his tenure, he has helped shape the curricula, training systems, certification programs, and educational philosophy that continue to serve riders and the training community today, MSF says in a release.
“Ray has played an extraordinary role in shaping rider education in America, guiding the evolution of MSF’s curricula into a lifelong learning approach, and setting the standard for the industry.” — Rob Gladden, MSF vice president of training operations.
Ochs’ involvement with motorcycles began as a teenager in St. Joseph, Missouri, when he was offered a ride on a Honda Dream 305. That experience sparked an interest in motorcycling that would eventually lead to a career focused on motorcycle rider education and safety.
Ochs was instrumental in field-testing and refining courses to ensure they were safe, effective, and efficient in real-world training. He was key to the development of MSF’s Basic RiderCourse, a license-waiver course used in 46 states and by the U.S. military worldwide. He also led the development of MSF’s many other programs, including the Advanced Rider Course, Rider Skills Lab, the Adventure Bike Rider Course, and the Rider Mentor Program.
His work has also taken MSF expertise around the world through International Rider Education and Training System workshops, presentations at motorcycle safety and research conferences, and professional development workshops for state and military motorcycle safety programs.
“Now that I’m riding into the sunset, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported MSF over the years,” Ochs says.
